I have a '94 civic with a vtec engine. I am convinced that the overheating problem I am having is the headgasket, since it eats up coolant, overheats and spews out white smoke out of the exhaust. Now, I know that the head may need to re-machined and everything, but how much of this job can be diy-ed and then sent out to a pro for completion??

I've asked around for estimates of the whole thing and they run like $1200-1400. I really can do without spending all that money on the car, especially if 60% of it is labor. Any advice as to how to tackle this problem if welcome

Thanks in advance.

 

wow 1200 is crazy you can do everthing but the machine work on the head yourslef, if you have the tools.

- basic METRIC ratchet and socket set
- torque wrench
- and all of your other basics like screwdrivers etc.

do a search you'll find tons of stuff prob even a how to

 

well if u remove the head yourself it should only be about 100 to 200 bucks to mill the head at a machine shop. then buy yourself a new headgasket and some good old copper spray, clean your head with some denatured alchohol, spray the headgasket with the copper spray and let it get tacky, then put it on the block. replace the head on top of the coated head gasket, torque it down with the correct torqueing sequence and boom your golden.

 

hmm.... I see. I have all the tools (I was restoring a motorcycle too ), My only concern was if I wowuld have to raise the engine off the motor mounts and stuff like that. Well I'll research this some more, consult my service manual and take it from there...

Thanks for the help. I'll post if I have any other questions.

-K